Musicians Institute Graduate Mann Bipin’s Journey

 Mann Bipin, a young Indian drummer currently based in LA, started drumming at the tender age of just 2 years. Mainly known for his impeccable speed, power-packed performance, aesthetic style and funky groove, he is best known for playing and leading his father's band, ‘The Beaterzz’, back in India.

Before graduating from Musicians Institute – college of contemporary music located at Hollywood Boulevard, California, Mann Bipin learned the stellar art of drumming from Mr. Pankaj Sharma from the time he was just eleven. The struggle came to an end when Nana Patekar, a celebrated actor in the Indian film industry, witnessed him live and told his assistant, Mr. Bipin Chunawala, Mann's father, “Mark my words. Your kid is going to be a star." Then, they decided to sponsor Mann for his music education.

During his time at MI, he was awarded as ‘The Best Player Of The Year’. He also has performances with renowned Jazz bass guitarist Marcus Miller to his credit! He has also played for Lars Deutsch, an Emmy award recipient and Oscar nominee, with International award winning artist Paloma Rush. He also played with Phrimaphaa Khornrojjachawin (nokphrima), a KPN Award winner'09, Thailand; Best singer in R&B genre in World Championship of Performing Arts 2016, 2nd price in International Festival White Night of Saint Petersburg and May Patcharapong, an internationally acclaimed bass player in a saxophone pub, Thailand. Due to which he did a drum clinic in Bangkok, Thailand in Chandrakasem Rajabhat University with nokphrima.

Currently, he is playing at Andrae Crouch’s church, often referred to as ‘the father of modern gospel music’ by contemporary Christians and gospel music professionals, with Pattie Howard as the music director, known for singing background for many major artists including Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, Mary J Bilge, Brandy, Fantasia, Queen LaTifah, Madonna, Andrea Crouch, Michael Jackson, Curtis Siger, Lisa Stanfield, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Reba Rambo, Diana Ross among others. He is currently, also, the drummer for Arthur Menezes, ‘Gibson award/Albert King Award’ for best guitarist by the Blues Foundation (IBC 2018).

This has been the journey of a middle class Indian boy from playing for Gujarati Garba to Jazz, Blues, Funk and Gospel music. Truly, struggle comes to an end when someone like Nana Patekar holds your hand.